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SUNDAY 12 |
Guus Hiddink sends
warning to Liverpool
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has stated that his team are
ready for the visit of Liverpool in the Champions League on
Tuesday night.
The Dutchman feels the Blues are growing in spirit, as they
aim to go for the domestic and European treble.
(Goal.com)
Yossi: Torres is
world's best striker
Yossi Benayoun hailed Fernando Torres as the best striker in
the world after the Spaniard hit a magnificent double in the
4-0 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.
The Israeli was left searching for superlatives after El
Nino inspired the Reds to a morale-boosting triumph with a
brace that included a stunning volley that could well be a
goal of the season contender.
"That's what you get with Torres," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"He is always a threat. He is the best striker in the world.
The goals that he scores are just unbelievable. Look at the
first one today. It was incredible. He makes it look so
simple too. It's always easier for us as a team when he is
playing."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool flop Leto
set for shock Juve move
Liverpool flop Sebastian Leto could be set for a shock move
to Italian giants Juventus.
(Sport.co.uk)
Hobbs happy with Foxes
Jack Hobbs admits his confidence has been boosted by
Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson's desire to sign him
permanently.
Liverpool defender Hobbs has spent the season on loan at the
Walkers Stadium and has played a key role in the club's push
for promotion.
He has a year to run on his contract at Anfield, but Pearson
has suggested he is likely to make a permanent bid for the
youngster in the summer.
"If you are suggesting I might be interested in bringing him
here, that would be right," said Pearson.
The Leicester chief's comments have lifted Hobbs, who
believes he has improved during his time with the League One
leaders.
Hobbs told the Leicester Mercury: "What he said was a great
confidence-booster and I'm very happy here.
"I feel I've really grown as a player this season and it's
really benefited me."
(Sky Sports)
Agger: My heart
belongs to Liverpool
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has admitted his future with
the Reds is up in the air - but insists his "heart" remains
at Anfield.
The Danish defender, who will be out of contract at the end
of next season, has endured a frustrating season dogged by
injury and has failed to hold down a starting spot.
The 24-year-old, who scored in Liverpool's 4-0 win over
Blackburn on Saturday, is in talks with the club over a new
deal but admits the outcome is uncertain.
"I am at the stage of my career where I need to play - and
want to play - but that situation has nothing to do with the
contract talks," he said.
"It is nice to hear the manager wants to keep me, but the
most important thing is what he tells me when I look him in
the eyes.
"It's not what he says in the papers, it is what he says
behind closed doors. I keep talks with the club
confidential, so I cannot tell you what has been said.
"I don't know when things will be decided. I don't have a
clue. In my heart, I hope I will be here next season. But,
really, I don't know.
"I know there have been some reports in Denmark that my
agent has spoken to clubs in Italy, but they were wrong."
(TEAMtalk) |
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SATURDAY 11 |
Macheda keeps United on top
Federico Macheda came off the bench to snatch victory for
the second time in a week as Manchester United responded to
Liverpool usurping them at the top of the Premier League
table with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland
(Sporting Life)
Big Sam blames fear factor
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce felt his side were running
scared at times as they slumped to a 4-0 defeat against
Liverpool at Anfield.
Allardyce admitted Liverpool's midweek defensive frailties
against Chelsea persuaded him to turn to Samba but conceded
his team failed to support their improvised, but towering,
forward.
He said: "I had watched how Didier Drogba had caused them so
much trouble in midweek and decided to use Christopher Samba
in that role.
"Obviously he is not that quality of player, but it was the
same idea. The problem was that we did not support him at
all and allowed Liverpool to pick up possession."
(Sky Sports)
Nando pleased
with Reds' response
Fernando Torres believes Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of
Blackburn was the perfect response to the midweek Champions
League defeat to Chelsea.
"It was a great result coming after the game against
Chelsea," Torres told Sky Sports. "The last game wasn't good
but we've done our job.
"We have confidence after this result to go to Stamford
Bridge
on Tuesday."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez: This was
the perfect response
Rafa Benitez labelled his side's 4-0 thrashing of Blackburn
'the perfect response' to their midweek defeat to Chelsea.
The whole country was waiting to see if Liverpool could pick
themselves up from their Champions League disappointment -
and they responded in style thanks to goals from Fernando
Torres (2), Daniel Agger and
David Ngog.
Benitez told his post-match press conference: "To play a
good game, score goals and not concede - it was the perfect
response by the players.
"It could have been even better because we had really clear
chances, but I'm really pleased."
(LFC Official Website)
Torres keeps Reds
rolling as Anfield remembers
A day that begun tinged with sadness ended in elation at
Anfield as Fernando Torres inspired The Reds to a 4-0
victory over Blackburn Rovers that saw Rafa Benitez’s side
briefly reclaim top spot in
The Premier League.
The 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy was marked
by a minute’s silence and a touching moment prior to kick
off as former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock presented a
wreath depicting the number 96 to The Kop, ensuring that
those who lost their lives were once again remembered in
poignant fashion.
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard pays Hillsborough tribute
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has revealed the 20th
anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy will have an extra
significance for his family.
Ninety-six fans died in the crush during Liverpool's FA Cup
semi against Nottingham Forest and Gerrard's cousin,
Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was
among them.
"It was difficult knowing one of your cousins had lost his
life," the 28-year-old England international said.
"Seeing his family's reaction drove me on to become the
player I am today."
Gerrard will attend the annual memorial service at Anfield
on Wednesday, and along with team-mate Jamie Carragher, will
present the Freedom of the City to the bereaved families.
There will also be a two minute silence held in Liverpool,
Nottingham and Sheffield at 1506 BST which will end when all
civic, cathedral and church bells are rung 96 times.
"The families have conducted themselves with dignity since
the tragedy," said Gerrard.
"I know how horrific it has been for them. They should be
proud of themselves. The club are very proud of them and
will continue to be so."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard on bench versus Blackburn
Steven Gerrard has been named on the Liverpool bench for
this afternoon's clash with Blackburn.
The Reds skipper is struggling with an adductor injury, so
makes way as part of four changes from Wednesday's 3-1
defeat to Chelsea.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Insua, Agger,
Carragher, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Benayoun, Kuyt,
Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Gerrard, Dossena, Lucas, Ngog, Skrtel, El
Zhar.
(LFC Official Website)
Fergie laughs off Rafa comments
Sir Alex Ferguson has cheekily responded to Rafael Benitez's
growing criticism of him by declaring - 'I didn't know you
cared.'
After Benitez's astounding rant during the Christmas period,
which seemed to backfire on the Spaniard until Liverpool's
stunning win at Old Trafford last month, the Anfield chief
launched a fresh attack on Tuesday. Benitez claimed Ferguson
was running scared of his team and had been perfectly civil
towards him until Liverpool started to become a threat.
Yet again Ferguson has refused to get drawn into an outright
war of words but said: "The interesting thing as far as Rafa
Benitez is concerned is that he has got a European tie
coming up and he is talking about Alex Ferguson. That's
fantastic. I didn't know I was that important."
Asked another question about Benitez, Ferguson smiled and
said simply: "I have no further comment to make."
(Ananova) |
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FRIDAY 10 |
Gerrard named
in Liverpool squad
Rafael Benitez has included Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's
squad for their Premier League match with Blackburn this
Saturday.
The Liverpool captain will undergo a late fitness test to
assess whether he is fit to play in the match as the Reds
look to maintain their title push.
Gerrard underwent scans on a thigh strain last night after
he appeared to be suffering during Liverool's defeat to
Chelsea in the Champions League.
Benitez told the club's website: "Steven has some problems
with his adductor. He will be in the squad but we still have
to decide whether he will start."
(Independent)
Carra prepares for
biggest league game ever
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes tomorrow’s
Premier League clash at home to Blackburn Rovers may be the
biggest league game he has ever played in as the Reds look
to keep up their assault on the title.
He said, “I’m not just saying this because of what happened
against Chelsea the other night but the league has always
been the priority for everyone at the club."
(This is Anfield)
Big Sam: Benitez loves to whinge
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has taken a swipe at Rafael
Benitez by claiming that the Liverpool manager loves to
"whinge and moan".
Having clashed with the Spaniard during his tenure at
Bolton, the Blackburn manager is now intent on ruffling
Benitez and his side again when Rovers travel to Anfield in
the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
"Bolton always used to batter them at the Reebok but we were
never capable of reproducing that form at Anfield,"
Allardyce told The Sun.
"But you can't help him whingeing and moaning, can you? He
loves it.
"It's great when a manager moans about the way my teams
play, though.
"Irrespective of what label they might give me, if I can
beat Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United home or away,
then I am a major tactician and a very good manager.
On Benitez's feud with Sir Alex Ferguson, Allardyce had this
to say: "You'd be foolish taking on Sir Alex because he
knows every trick
in the book.
"I've managed to psyche out a few managers in my time but
nobody has ever psyched me out."
(TEAMtalk)
Lamps blames Reds for Terry yellow
Frank Lampard believes the Liverpool players are responsbile
for John Terry's yellow card on Wednesday night.
The Chelsea skipper picked up a yellow card for a tackle on
keeper Jose Reina, meaning he will miss the second leg of
their Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge.
And Lampard believes pressure from the Liverpool players
influenced referee Claus Bo Larsen in his decision to book
Terry.
Lampard likened the incident to their Champions League
semi-final clash in 2005, when a tackle on Eidur Gudjohnsen
saw Xabi Alonso pick up a yellow card which ruled him out of
the second leg.
"It's unfortunate that when [Terry] got booked all the
Liverpool players ran around to make sure he did," Lampard
told The Mirror.
"I remember them moaning about Alonso being booked a few
years ago and it was the reverse on Wednesday.
"But hopefully we have enough cover. Ricardo Carvalho is
nearly fit and if we can go through, John will have a clean
slate going into going into
the semi-finals."
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez wants Reds response
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has challenged his side to
keep their Premier League title dreams alive.
The Anfield team were left reeling on Wednesday after their
Champions League quarter-final first-leg 3-1 defeat by
Chelsea.
But the Spaniard has urged his players to put disappointment
aside and make sure they are ready to face a Blackburn team
desperate to haul themselves away from the relegation zone
on Saturday.
Benitez said: "We have an important league game next so we
have to be ready. We have two full days to think and plan
for the Blackburn game. That is the first priority now.
"Only after that will Chelsea be the priority in the
Champions League second leg on Tuesday. We will have Javier
Mascherano back from now on for both these games and the
rest of the season. He is very important to us now.
"We have to believe anything can happen. Firstly we must do
the right things against Blackburn and then go to Chelsea
with confidence. If we score first there we will be in the
game."
(ITN Football)
Pepe set for Reds milestone
Pepe Reina is in line to make his 200th Liverpool appearance
against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Since making his Reds debut in a Champions League qualifier
with TNS
in July 2005, the Spanish international has broken numerous
Anfield records.
In his first season with Rafa Benitez's side, Reina set a
new club record for most consecutive clean sheets as he went
11 matches without conceding a goal.
The 26-year-old is also the fastest stopper in Reds history
to reach 50 shut-outs in the league.
Last month he became the quickest custodian in the club's
history to achieve 100 clean sheets in all competitions,
beating Ray Clemence's record that had stood for three
decades.
Reina achieved the landmark in just 197 appearances, while
Clemence reached his century from 200 run outs.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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